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Activities
Camping
 Camping is available at
Cold Brook, Markin Glen and the
Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground from late April through the end of October.
Cold Brook offers 29 Improved sites with 30 or 50 amp electric and water
hook-ups, 15 Rustic sites, modern restroom facilities, and dump station.
Markin Glen offers 38 modern sites with 50 amp electric, water and sewer hook-ups, modern restroom facilities, and dump station.
Camping reservations for either park can be made by calling (269) 383-8778.
A youth organization campground is available at Markin Glen
The Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground offers 60 sites with 30 amp electric and water hook-ups, modern restroom facilities, and dump station. Sites cannot be reserved. Special event camping for rallies and large events is also available, call (269) 383-8761 for more information.
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Picnics
 All of the parks are great for picnics. Whether you're planning a family picnic for four or a company picnic for 2000, there's a spot for it at one of the parks.
Picnic Shelters are available at each of the parks and can be by calling 269-383-8778.
Seating at the various shelters ranges from 30-280. Larger groups can be accommodated at several of the shelter sites if the groups
bring in additional equipment.
In addition to the picnic shelters, there are many family picnic areas for a quick lunch or a leisurely gathering with a few friends.
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Beaches
 What better way to cool off during the hot summer weather then to visit one of the Kalamazoo County Park's three swimming beaches.
Cold Brook has a swimming beach located on the shores of Blue Lake.
Markin Glen has a swimming beach with handicap access right into the water.
Prairie View has a swimming beach on pristine Hogsett Lake.
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Dog Park
 Prairie View Dog Park opened in the spring of 2010 and features 7 acres of fenced park area for dogs to exercise and socialize off-leash.
The park has a grass area with plenty of shade trees and a wooded section with a walking trail. Plus there is a special area
for dogs under 25 lbs. Access to the dog park requires either payment of the daily vehicle entrance fee or
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Soccer
 River Oaks offers a beautiful facility that features 20 soccer fields ranging in sizes full, mid and junior. The fields are available for game, league, practice, and tournament rentals. Improvements to the complex were completed in 2005 and include new fields, 650 paved parking spaces, restroom facilities, and a concession stand. See a detailed map of the complex.
This facility is home to AYSO Region 212, River Oaks Soccer Club, Kingdom Soccer and Gull Lake Women's League. Several Tournaments are held at the complex annually.
For information on field availability, rental costs, or to schedule a tournament please call (269) 383-8778 or contact the parks director.
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Fishing
 All of the County Parks offer
great fishing opportunities.
Markin Glen is great for shore fishing with a fishing lake and two fishing
piers. Scotts Mill and River Oaks also offer
shore fishing.
Cold Brook offers fishing opportunities on Blue Lake and Portage Lake. A fishing pier is available as well as a boat ramp.
Fish on Gourdneck Lake or Hogsett Lake at Prairie View. A boat ramp is
available for fishing boats only.
River Oaks also has a boat ramp to access Morrow Lake and the Kalamazoo River.
A fishing license (not available for purchase at our parks) is required and all Department of Natural Resources regulations are to be followed.
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Hiking/Jogging
Walking/Nature Trails
 All of the Kalamazoo County Parks have
trails providing places to hike, walk, jog and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail currently has 8.4 miles of non-motorized asphalt trail.
Eventually the KRV Trail will encompass 35 miles of trail connecting Battle Creek to Lake Michigan, D Avenue to Portage,
and eventually Lake Michigan to Lake Huron. See the Trail Map for current and future trail
plans. Walking clubs, Nature walks, History walks and 5k Run/Walks all take place on the trail. Visit the Trail Events Calendar for more information on meeting times and places.
Cold Brook offers 2.5 miles of hiking trails.
Markin Glen offers hiking trails and a 1 mile multi-use paved trail.
Prairie View offers 2.5 miles of hiking trail plus a .3 mile multi-use paved trail.
River Oaks offers 6.5 miles of hiking trails.
Scotts Mill offers hiking trails.
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Weddings
 All of the county parks offer
great locations for a wedding! From lakes and ponds to intimate wooded areas, you're sure to find the perfect
place to say "I Do." The parks also have a number of Picnic Shelters that can be rented
for receptions.
Scotts Mill offers a special wedding package. The historic mill, waterwheel
and natural landscape make a lovely backdrop for a wedding. The package includes a picturesque wedding site next
to the historic mill, electricity as needed, the Gregersen Shelter and all vehicle
entrance fees.
For more information about this package or weddings at any of our parks please call 269-383-8778.
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Disc Golf
 Cold Brook
is home to a championship 24-hole disc golf course. There are no green fees. Access to the course requires either payment
of the daily vehicle entrance fee or an annual
park pass. You must bring your own equipment.
Several disc golf leagues play at Cold Brook though-out the week. Tournaments are also held through-out the year. For more information visit the park or contact Larry LaBond at kaces6903@aol.com
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Playgrounds
 Children's playgrounds are available at all the parks and campgrounds.
See the Park Maps for specific locations.
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Programs
 The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
offers many programs for families, adults and children. Programs on the trail provide endless health, recreational and
educational benefits. They also provide enjoyable outdoor opportunities for you and your family.
Visit the Parks & Trail Events Calendar to see all the opportunities available!
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Special Events
 The Kalamazoo County Expo Center & Fairground
is home to over 100 national, regional and local events drawing over 275,000 visitors each year. The flexible and
spacious facilities with professional staff make these events a great experience. Visit
the Expo Center Events Calendar for specific event dates and details. To book space for
your event call 269-383-8778 or fill out our online request form.
There are also many special events held at the parks and on the trail throughout the year. From triathlons and
lacrosse tournaments, to dog walk-a-thons and antique tractor shows you'll find a variety of events to entertain
your whole family. Visit the Parks & Trail Events Calendar for specific event
dates and details. To plan a special event call 269-383-8778 or fill out our online special event form.
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Biking
 At Markin
Glen there is a one mile paved multi-use trail available.
The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail features 8.4 miles of paved asphalt trail. It is
now possible to bike from Downtown Kalamazoo to South Haven via the KRV Trail.
Bicycles are welcome at all the Kalamazoo County Parks and the entrance fee is $2.00 if biking into a park.
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Volleyball
Volleyball nets are available near many of the picnic shelters. Equipment is available from park staff for a $10.00 deposit.
Horseshoes
Horseshoes are available near many of the picnic shelters. Equipment is available from park staff for a $10.00 deposit.
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Softball
 Softball fields are located near
many of the Picnic Shelters. See our Park Maps for specific locations.
The Wenke Softball Fields are located at River Oaks. Comstock Township and
Kalamazoo County partnered with local donors to construct the Wenke Softball Complex. The four fields are
maintained and operated by Comstock Township Parks. For league or field information, contact Comstock Township Parks
at 269-343-8212
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Winter Activities
Ice Fishing
 Ice fishing is one of our most popular winter activities at both Cold Brook and
Prairie View Parks.
A fishing license (not available for purchase at our parks) is required and all Department of Natural Resources
regulations are to be followed.
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Sledding
The beach hill at Prairie View makes a perfect spot for sledding in the
wintertime. The Beach House is used as a warming shelter to take a break and warm your toes between runs down the hill. Bring your own sleds.
Cross-Country Skiing
At Prairie View there are 3 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails
available from the Picnic Shelter #9 parking lot. See the Park Map for trail location.
River Oaks offers approximately 4 miles of groomed cross-country ski
trails available from the Oak Grove Picnic Shelter parking lot. See the Park Map for trail location.
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Dogs are welcome at all the
Kalamazoo County Parks. Pets must be on a leash with the exception of the 
Kalamazoo County Parks offers boat
rentals at 
The River Oaks Modelers operate
the 
